Businesses in St Helens Borough impacted by the coronavirus pandemic can still apply for a share of an additional £8.1m funding package, which relaunches next week.
Liverpool City Region leaders have extended the window for the Trading On Scheme to support businesses affected by Covid-19.
Due to the success of Liverpool City Region (LCR) local authorities in disbursing more than £40m of Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding prior to the 30 June 2021 deadline, the government has extended support and an additional £8.1m of funding has been allocated, with councils receiving an amount based on per head of population. St Helens Borough Council has been given £940,172.
The new tranche of ARG funding is intended to support small and medium-sized businesses and small and medium-sized charities in any sector that (in some cases) may not have been previously eligible for previous ARG schemes, but that can evidence that they have been severely impacted by coronavirus restrictions.
Councillor Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Business, who is also the LCR’s Deputy Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and Third Sector, said:
“Businesses have had it extremely tough during the pandemic and I share their frustrations, as many have fallen through the cracks when it has come to being eligible for Government support grants.
“I’m delighted that, together with colleagues across the Liverpool City Region, we are able to offer this extended funding opportunity which will support even more businesses and charities to recover and rebuild from the damage Covid has caused to the local economy.
“Our officers are on hand – as they have been during previous grant schemes – to support you every step of the way with advice and guidance on completing your application.”
Businesses and charities that have already applied for the Trading On Grant Scheme are being prioritised for appraisal and do not need to reapply.
The extended Window for applications opens at 10.00 am Monday 29th November 2021 and closes at 5.00 pm on Friday 10th December 2021.
For more information on the LCR “Trading On Scheme” and to apply online from Monday 29th November, please visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/tradingonscheme